At the home of Benpa Tsering, the 11th Panchen Lama inquired about the health of him and his wife. “How much sun do you get in the winter?” “How much food do you normally eat? Is it enough?” Before leaving, the 11th Panchen Lama urged the two elderly people to pay attention to the nutritional balance of their food, saying, “In the new era, you will be able to live long lives. I will also pray for your health and longevity.”

 

After the visit, the 11th Panchen Lama prepared to leave by car. However, at this time, many Buddhist followers crowded both sides of the road and waited in the rain, hoping to receive a blessing from the Panchen Lama. Seeing this, the Panchen Lama adjusted his itinerary, getting out of the car several times along the way to offer blessings to the devotees.

 

The 11th Panchen Lama learns about production and living conditions in the house of villager Dawa.

 

In order to welcome the Panchen Lama to their home, Dawa’s family had been busy since the early morning sweeping the courtyard and arranging a variety of fruits and drinks in their Tibetan-style living room. Dawa said, “The Panchen Lama coming to my home is a historical moment for my family. It is a great blessing.”

 

“What is the main line of work your family is engaged in?” “What about the annual income of your family?” “What is your main source of income?” “When was this house built?” “How do you get heating in winter?” The 11th Panchen Lama talked with Dawa in his family’s Tibetan-style living room. When he learned that Dawa’s grandson is in second grade and his granddaughter is about to start kindergarten, the 11th Panchen Lama tells Dawa, “Be sure to get the children educated. Children’s education is very important. First, educate them to have good characters, then educate them to be a useful person both to society and their ethnic group and the state. On this basis, they should learn modern social science and cultural knowledge.”